Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.
Preparation
Every time you're online, you are bombarded by pictures, articles, links and videos trying to tell their story. Unfortunately, not all of these stories are true. Sometimes they want you to click on another story or advertisement at their own site, other times they want to upset people for political reasons. These days it's so easy to share information. These stories circulate quickly, and the result is … fake news.
There is a range of fake news: from crazy stories which people easily recognise to more subtle types of misinformation. Experts in media studies and online psychology have been examining the fake news phenomenon. Read these tips, and don't get fooled!
1. Check the source
Look at the website where the story comes from. Does it look real? Is the text well written? Are there a variety of other stories or is it just one story? Fake news websites often use addresses that sound like real newspapers, but don't have many real stories about other topics. If you aren't sure, click on the 'About' page and look for a clear description of the organisation.
2. Watch out for fake photos
Many fake news stories use images that are Photoshopped or taken from an unrelated site. Sometimes, if you just look closely at an image, you can see if it has been changed. Or use a tool like Google Reverse Image search. It will show you if the same image has been used in other contexts.
3. Check the story is in other places
Look to see if the story you are reading is on other news sites that you know and trust. If you do find it on many other sites, then it probably isn't fake (although there are some exceptions), as many big news organisations try to check their sources before they publish a story.
4. Look for other signs
There are other techniques that fake news uses. These include using ALL CAPS and lots of ads that pop up when you click on a link. Also, think about how the story makes you feel. If the news story makes you angry, it's probably designed to make you angry.
If you know these things about online news, and can apply them in your everyday life, then you have the control over what to read, what to believe and most importantly what to share. If you find a news story that you know is fake, the most important advice is: don't share it!
Many people read only the headline, and share the article without checking the source, it’s very important than we do it for prevent the disinformation
Yes, I have read so many fake news circulating online, there's so many of them in Facebook and X. Honestly, I'm worried to the people in or using those app because they're quick to believe whatever they see in social media without checking if it is true or not and it keeps getting worse cause people who read those fake news also shares them to their socials. Especially when it is related to celebrities or even politics.
Have you ever read a fake news story online? Are you worried about this problem?
Yes, I´ve read many fake news stories. But I still remember one about the deer zombies. I was worried about it because they said that it could related to humans with the covid-19 virus. Of course, after being worried, I checked if it was or not a real news stories.
I think fake news are very dangerous as it may cause many problems in people minds, society, and even country. I will give you an example: my country is next to the biggest country in the world that is trying to eradicate all of us. It uses not only guns and bombs but fake news to undermine our society. Therefore in almost all of the schools and universites there are lectures about how to spot fake news.
It's normal for us in our daily life. I see a lot of fake news on my social media(facebook, X,...) but I don't try to skip them I read them all and after that I reason about what I've read and then if I though it was fake than I just put it out of my head.
Actually I didn't remember a situation tonmention,but I read
Of course, I am worried about this problem because it is becoming more complicated day by day.
Yes, I read fake news almost every day. The last one I read was about a female boxer who someone said was actually a man.
This fake news came on social media initially by Italian politicians and the reason was mainly ideological.
I am very worried about false news but fortunately I think I can recognize them. One thing I do immediately is look for the same notice online (social media and online newspapers) and usually I discovered it very soon.
Thank you for sharing tips about preventing by fake news. It is crucial nowadays, especially elderly people might be able to believe fake news. Thank you so much to inform us.
Mostly fake news is post on social media, the political fake news is horrible, if u feel angry then that maybe a fake news to attack opposition politicians party, keep thinking yourself, that can keep your mind clarity